Several Salt Lake City Police Department officers have faced disciplinary actions following the discovery of their inappropriate and disrespectful behavior at the scene of a homeless man's death. The incident in question, which took place last summer, involved the officers using a box cutter on the dead body of 47-year-old Jason Lloyd. Lloyd's death was later ruled as accidental by the medical examiner.
Body camera footage, made available last Friday, captured officers laughing as they sliced through blisters on Lloyd's skin, an act that has now put seven employees on leave. Officer-in-training Dakota Smigel, at first thought to be part of a prank, was convinced by more seasoned officers to partake in the procedure. FOX 13 News reported that Officer Mark Keep violated eight department policies and chose to resign instead of facing discipline while Officer Paul Mullenax, having violated four policies, received a three-day suspension.
Further investigations by the Utah Attorney General's Office resulted in no criminal charges being filed, despite the unprofessional conduct. The severity of the situation was further highlighted by SLCPD Police Chief Mike Brown's statement: "I extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Lloyd’s family. Every person we encounter deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Our decorum during death investigations must never again fall short of our core values as it did at times in this case," as obtained by the East Idaho News.
In addition to the direct repercussions for the officers involved, the Salt Lake City Police Department has implemented additional training for their employees to prevent recurrence of such behavior. According to KMYU, Police Chief Mike Brown condemned the actions of his officers, labeling the conduct as unprofessional, discourteous, disrespectful, and offensive. "This behavior does not align with the professionalism and integrity we demand as a police department," Brown added in a formal address to the public.
